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After 16 months of dashed hopes and cruise cancellations, we are finally five weeks out from stepping back onto a cruise ship. It didn’t really begin to feel real until we got that email, instructing us to check in and download the Royal Caribbean App. After a mad rush to locate our passports, we are now checked in and our phones are loaded with the new super cool Royal Caribbean Cruise App. We are ready to go.

Well….not really.

Because we experienced so many cancelations and fought through other obstacles to finally get this close to a cruise, it hasn’t felt real until today. So, today is the day I suddenly started panicking about silly little things like swimwear and dresses for elegant night. I mean, let’s face it, for many of us the Quarantine Fifteen is a sad reality. And dresses? I haven’t worn a dress in eighteen months or more. In fact, I think it’s been more like two years. Looking through my closet was just a bit depressing.

We took our first cruise in 2018 (yes, I know we were late to the party) and I was able to purchase all sorts of cute clothing for the cruise, off-season and cheap. This year, summer clothing is still in season and I’m not too keen on what I am seeing in the department stores. Another challenge I have is what to wear. We live in land-locked Colorado so of course, I bought colorful, flowy clothes for our last cruise. When I got on board, I was surprised to see so many of our fellow passengers in earth-tone Columbia shorts and tops…the kinda stuff we wear here in Colorado. Boring! Unfortunately, I felt pretty out of place in my bright, colorful outfits. I mean, sure, I felt cruisey (no, of course that’s not a word) but I felt conspicuous. I love the comfort of the Colorado look, but I love feeling like I am really living that cruise life. Yep, I want to feel cruisey.

Tomorrow, I will begin pairing up outfits and matching them up to activities and special events. I know what you’re thinking…Isn’t it a tad bit early? Not really. If I have wardrobe pieces that warrant replacing, I will need to get right on that. I did pack away a few things after our last cruise so I will pull them out and see how I feel about them.

Oh him, you ask? After our last cruise, he took all his cruise clothes and packed them away. He’s fine. He may need something for elegant night, but it’s not like he is going to wear a jacket and tie. I’ll be lucky to get him into a shirt and tie. Anyway, he’s fine. A haircut the week before we leave and he’ll be ready to go.

Okay, that is enough packing planning for today. No need to panic.

Tell me, how far out do you plan your wardrobe for your cruises? Got any tips and tricks you’d be willing to share?

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